Night photography
Bangkok nights: capturing the glow of the city
My last night in Bangkok felt like a scene straight out of a movie. The city’s neon-lit streets, the hum of motorbikes, and the scent of sizzling street food created an electric atmosphere. I was about to leave for the south of Thailand, but before catching my early flight, I had a brief window to capture the essence of Bangkok’s nightlife one last time.
Walking with Eugénie, a French traveler I had met in Cambodia, we wandered through the streets near our hostel, which was located close to Chinatown. Though we didn’t have time to reach the heart of the district, the narrow alleys surrounding us were already full of life.
Just as we were about to give up on finding the perfect spot, a Buddhist temple appeared before us, glowing softly under the warm lanterns hanging from its eaves. The flickering light, the deep shadows, and the peaceful ambiance made it an unexpected but perfect setting for a short photoshoot.
Even with limited time and almost no artificial setup, we managed to create moody, atmospheric portraits—all thanks to using the available light. This experience reminded me that night photography isn’t just about having the best equipment—it’s about understanding light and making it work for you.
Three different locations: one color theme
1. THE TINY TEMPLE ON THE SIDEWALK: A HIDDEN GEM EVERYONE CAN SEE
As we walked along a busy main street, something caught my eye—a tiny Buddhist temple nestled on the sidewalk, almost blending into the urban chaos. The warm glow of Chinese lanterns lit up the space, reflecting off the intricately carved wood.
📸 How we used the space:
- We positioned Eugénie just beside the lanterns, letting the soft red light frame her face and add warmth to her skin tone.
- Instead of relying on harsh artificial street lights, we used the lantern’s glow to create a cinematic mood.
- Shooting from different angles, we played with light and shadow, letting her naturally curly hair catch the highlights.
The importance of guiding a model, especially an inexperienced one
Whether you’re working with professional models or everyday people, directing your subject is crucial, especially in night photography where small adjustments can change the entire mood of the image.
1- Give clear directions:
• Simple, precise cues like “Chin down,” “Look slightly to the left,” “Tilt your face towards the light” help the model feel guided and confident.
• Small adjustments in hand placement, body posture, or gaze can completely change the energy of a shot.
2- Shift their focus from self-doubt to presence:
• Many people feel uncomfortable in front of a camera, thinking, I don’t know how to pose. I’m not a model.
• The key? Take control of the shoot and give them something to focus on besides their insecurities.
• If you keep giving verbal encouragement, they stop listening to their inner critic and start following your direction.
3- Create a story to evoke emotion:
• Instead of just saying, “Look at the camera,” give them an internal emotion to express.
• In this shoot, I told Eugénie: “Look serene, like the elements don’t bother you. The light is wrapping around you, embrace it.”
• As she followed the story, her face naturally relaxed, and her expression became more genuine and cinematic.
2. A JAZZ CLUB AND THE POWER OF THE RED LIGHT
Leaving the small temple behind, we continued our search for interesting light sources. That’s when we stumbled upon the front of a jazz club, its entrance washed in a deep red light.
This was perfect. Throughout the shoot, the red tones from the lanterns had been a consistent theme, and this location naturally extended that visual thread.
📸 How we used the light:
- We placed Eugénie directly in the red glow, letting it define the contours of her face and clothing.
- The deep contrast between the shadows and intense red light created a moody, almost cinematic feel.
- Instead of trying to balance the colors artificially, we embraced the monochromatic warmth to give the photo a distinct style.
The importance of guiding a model, especially an inexperienced one
When words aren’t enough: demonstrating the pose & showing the shot
Sometimes, despite your best verbal guidance, a model may not fully grasp what you envision.
1- The trick? Become the model yourself.
• If a pose feels awkward or unnatural to them, physically show them what you mean.
• Many times, an awkward stance feels uncomfortable but looks great on camera.
• By demonstrating the position yourself, the model can see:
– How their body should be angled
– Where their hands should rest
– What expression works best
2- Make them laugh and encourage them
• When I think that the person looks great, I constantly say things like, “Oh, this is amazing,” “You look beautiful,” “That’s stunning,” “I love it!” Sometimes, I even repeat the same words, because enthusiasm is contagious.
• And sometimes, I say something completely stupid, random, or silly, and suddenly, the model laughs—that’s when I know they’ve stopped overthinking. That moment of laughter is when they fully relax and are ready for the next pose.
3- Show them the shot to build confidence
• One of the best ways to boost their confidence instantly is to show them a great shot on the back of your camera.
• As soon as I capture an image I love, I say: “Wait, look at this!” and turn the camera to show them.
• Seeing themselves looking strong, graceful, or effortlessly cool immediately reassures them that they’re doing great.
• After seeing a great shot, they trust me more, they’re less self-conscious, and they’re often more willing to experiment with bolder poses.
4- From model to photographer’s perpective
• An interesting shift happens when you demonstrate a pose—the model stops feeling like a passive subject and instead starts thinking like a photographer.
• Suddenly, they see the shot from your perspective, making it easier to trust the process and commit to the pose.
3. THE GRAND TEMPLE AND A SERENDIPITOUS MOMENT
Just as we thought the shoot was over, a large temple appeared ahead. Near the entrance an alter was surrounded by lanterns, casting a golden glow over the darkened courtyard.
Though it was late, the door was open. Curious but respectful, we stepped inside. A young monk approached us—not to stop us, but to welcome us. “You can take some photos if you want,” he said with a warm smile before disappearing into the night.
📸 How we created the final shot:
The result? A moody, intimate portrait with just enough light to reveal depth, but enough darkness to maintain the mystery of the scene.
Instead of shooting inside the temple, we positioned ourselves just outside the boundary of the lanterns, ensuring we weren’t intruding.
I asked Eugénie to sit on a box near the right side of the temple, where the lanterns’ soft glow brushed against her profile.
The low light forced me to get creative—I had her turn slightly in profile so that her curly hair, nose, and facial features were gently outlined by the warm illumination.
Key takeaways for night photography with ambient light
1- Chase the glow →
Look for unexpected sources of warm light—lanterns, neon signs, or even streetlights reflected on wet pavement.
2- Embrace one color theme →
The red tones in this shoot tied all three locations together, creating a cohesive visual story.
3- Play with shadows →
Position your subject so that light falls at an angle, highlighting contours while keeping parts of the frame dark for contrast.
4-Move fast but be intentional →
With only 30 minutes, we found three locations and created a full series by focusing on composition, mood, and available light rather than technical perfection.
Final thoughts: Night photography is about creativity, not Gear
This spontaneous shoot in Bangkok reminded me that great photography is about adaptability. You don’t always need a controlled studio setup—sometimes, all you need is to observe how light interacts with your surroundings and use it to your advantage.
So next time you’re walking through a city at night, don’t be afraid to experiment. Look for unexpected light sources, play with positioning, and embrace the unique atmosphere that only nighttime can provide.
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